Vic govt still under fire over youth crime

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton believes people in Melbourne are "scared to go out at restaurants" at night because of African street gang violence, as the Victorian government stands firm over its response to youth crime.

The state government has come under fire for its response to street violence involving groups of African teens after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull blamed Premier Daniel Andrews for "growing gang violence and lawlessness" in Melbourne and Victoria.

"People don't see this in NSW, in Queensland, but the reality is people are scared to go out at restaurants of a night time because they're followed home by these gangs, home invasions, and cars are stolen," Mr Dutton told Sydney radio 2GB on Wednesday, without referring to any specific examples.

The immigration minister said Victorian judges and magistrates were not sending strong enough messages to juvenile offenders.

"I've said for a long time we need to respect the judiciary, but in the end the magistrates at a state level are appointed by the state premiers," Mr Dutton said.

"And if they're employing civil libertarians and people who won't put in place proper deterrence - well, you can expect the sort of outcomes we've seen in Victoria."

Mr Dutton also said offenders who remain in Australia on visas "do not belong in Australian society" and should be deported.